Cabinet structure



May 23, 1944. G. L. c. EARLE CABINET STRUCTURE 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed May 23, 1940 EUR - INVENTOR By GUVONLCEARLE zxaby V ATTORNEY G. L. C. EARLE CABINET STRUCTURE May 23, 1 944.

Patented May 23, 1944 CABINET STRUCTURE Guyon L. C. Earle, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignor to Genevieve M. Earle, Forest Hills, N. Y.

Application May 23, 1940, Serial No. 336,698

2 Claims.

This invention relates to cabinet structure and more specifically to flue systems for kitchen units.

It is an object of this invention to provide novel means for removing noxious gases and kitchen odors from the region of the stove in a kitchen unit.

It is another object Of this invention to provide a novel flue system for a kitchen unit.

The above-mentioned and other objects are attained in accordance with the invention by providing a flue system comprising a main horizontal flue including a plurality of detachable segments, each adapted to be, preferably at the factory, mounted in a difierent cabinet section, one or more vertical lines leading from the operating portions of the kitchen cabinet, such as, for example, the stove and dish drying compartment, to the main horizontal flue, and a smaller horizontal flue leading from the main horizontal flue to a grill in the door of one of the cabinet sections. The cabinet sections are adapted to be mounted from the wall of the room and positioned above the operating portions of the kitchen unit, such as, for example, the stove, the refrigerator, the sink and the dish drying compart ment.

The invention will be more readily understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete kitchen unit of this invention with portions broken away to show the flue system and portions of the electric wiring, other portions of the electric wiring being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View through the stove unit;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view in elevation taken through the sink shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevational riew of an upper cabinet showing the method of mounting on the wall;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of an upper angle iron used in the arrangement of Fig. I

Fig. 7A is a perspective view of a portion of a lower angle iron used in the arrangement of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, with portions broken away, of a joint between two of the sectional flue members shown in Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows, in perspective with portions thereof broken away, the principle embodiment of this invention shown by way of example to illustrate the salient features thereof. This preferred embodiment comprises a kitchen unit l0 comprising a lower or base portion or section II, an intermediate portion or section 12, and an upper Portion or section 13. A filler member H is placed between the wall I5 and the edge of the unit l0 near the wall, and a top member or molding l6, within which may be placed an electric clock ll, acts as a filler or boxing between the wall cabinets l3 and the ceiling. A table top member l8 covers that portion of the lower portion l l not covered by the top portion l2. If desired, a second filler member (not shown) may be provided at the end of the unit remote from the filler member ll.

The lower section II of the kitchen unit 10 comprises the lower portion 20 of a, refrigerator of the set-back type (such as is disclosed in Patent 2,180,460 issued Nov. 21, 1939 to Guyon L. C. Earle (except that the base refrigerator portion has drawers instead of a door) and in 00- pending applications by the same inventor Serial No. 318,223 filed Feb. 10, 1940 and which issued on March 2, 1943 as Patent 2,312,325, and Serial No. 318,224 filed Feb. 10, 1940 and which issued on Aug. 31, 1943 as Patent 2,328,130), the lower portion 2| of a sink unit, a cabinet section 22 (which may be omitted in many instances) and the lower portion 23 of a stove of the set-back" type such as is disclosed in Patent 2,180,459 issued Nov. 21, 1939 to Guyon L. C. Earle. The compressor and condenser of the refrigerator are preferably located under the sink 4! as, for example, behind the closure member 24. They may be supported from the floor or from the base member 26 which may be hollow if desired.

The lower portion 20 of the set-back refrigerator preferably utilizes as closure members in sulated drawer members 40, ll, 42, and 43 the lower one of which is preferably made deeper than the others to accommodate bottles and large cuts of meats or poultry.

The lower portion 2| of the sink unit comprises two sink basins and 45, a faucet 46 for supplying water to either of the basins as desired, the towel drying rack or compartment 21, the compressor compartment 25 and drawers (or if preierred-door-closed compartments) 4'1, 48 and 49. The drawer 41 preferably has a cut-out portion 50 (see Figs. 4 and 5) to accommodate the y drain bend 3|. By this means the space on either side of the bend II may be efficiently utilized for storage within the drawer. If the plumbing exit from the kitchen is not opposite the bend SI '0. further bend 52 is made in the pipe followed by a straight portion 53 which extends through an aperture 54 cut in a predetermined place in the side of the drawer well 55 and then by a ben it through the back wall 51, of the cabinet 22, the apertures in the walls 55 and 51 being cut at the factory so as to make installation easy. The drawer 12 may be shorter than the other drawers ll, 1| and I3 of the cabinet section 22 in order to permit the waste pipe 56 to pass behind it. By permitting the waste pipe to go between the rear of the cabinet and the shortened drawer through precut holes in the lower cabinet walls, much time is saved in installation and also the mess caused by cutting into the plaster (the old way) is obviated. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular piping shown, it being shown merely by way of example. The plumbing can also run through the framework behind the drawers but within the cabinet or behind the stove which is set forward a few inches from the rear wall,

The lower portion 23 of the stove comprises (see Fig. 2) an oven compartment and broiler compartment 0|. The lower portion 23 is preferablv set out from the wall a few inches. A biirner 82 is located at the top of the broiler compartment and a tray is slidably supported therein. Additional burners 03 are contained within the table top I 0. Gas supply pipes have not been shown in detail in order to simplify the drawings. The supply pipes pass out of the unit from the side or rear, whichever is the most convenient. Additional compartments or drawers 04 to 31 inclusive may have heating units therein or not, as desired. Preferably, they are utilized to store pots and pans, etc. These compartments are preferably not vented.

The intermediate section of the complete unit comprises the upper portion 00 of the set-back refrigerator, the dish-drying compartment 23, the intermediate portion 3i of the cabinet section 22, and the upper portion 32 ofthe "set-back stove 23.

The upper portion 30 of the set-back" refrigerator preferably comprises an evaporator in compartment 33 and a refrigerated compartment 54 at the side thereof. The upper portion is preferably set into the wall of the room.

The compartment SI may be used for storage or it may have one or more low wattage electric heaters 03A to keep articles hot. The entire vertical unit, including the compartment 9i may be omitted or shifted in position if desired. Also additional ones of said units may be provided.

The upper portion 32 of the set-back" stove comprises compartments I03 and I04, either one or both of which may contain one or more lowwattage electric heaters for heating articles of food. Above the compartment I03 is a slidable hood member I05 which conducts the heated and grease-laden air from the burners 83 to a chamber I06 above the compartment I03. This chamber connects with the vertical flue I01 through an opening I00. The flue I0I has vent openings I09 from the compartment I03 and an opening IIO from the compartment 30. The flue I01 opens into the forwardly extending flue III which may be connected to the horizontal flue system 30. The flue III terminates in an opening II2 covered by a grill H3 in the door of the upper wall cabinet. The grill H3 and the flue III have coacting male and female members to make a tight Joint. The joint between the members III an II3 may be, for example, like the joint between two contiguous members of the sectional flue 30, this Joint being described below. A filter member H4 is placed in the flue III to remove all the grease from the air before it passes into the kitchen, near the ceiling. If the flue system 30, with its forced draft preferably controlled by a thermostat, is in operation, very little, if any, heat will escape into the kitchen, it being conducted away by the line system 30. The compartment I03 is preferably set into the wall of the room as shown in Fig. 2.

The upper portion of the complete unit comprises wall cabinets I20, I2I, I22, I23, I24, I25 and I26, the fronts of which are set-back from the fronts of the base cabinets but set-out from the fronts of the intermediate cabinets. Reference will now be made to Fig. 6 which shows a typical cabinet, such as I22, in enlarged cross-sectional elevation. The cabinet I22 has a plurality of shelves I32 and I33 therein, the edges of each of which are turned under and then up to the flat center portion to reenforce the shelf and to provide horizontal conduits therein for the passage of electric wires, as indicated by the reference numeral I34. In Fig. l the wires I34 lead to a blower in the cabinet I20. The top I36 and the bottom I31 of the cabinet may have turnedunder or turned-up portions to strengthen these members and to provide conduits for electric wires, entrance to these conduits being obtained through holes placed at predetermined positions at the factory, thus saving installation time. The vertical walls of each cabinet may have portions which are turned-in and then back towards the wall to provide a vertical conduit for electric wires and to strengthen the members. Such a conduit is shown at I38, the wire contained in this conduit being connected to the electric clock II. The doors I33 have overhanging portions I40 behind which may be placed (for example) soilit lights I and I42. Awire I43 is connected at one end to the electric outlet I44 in the filler member I4 and at the other end through horizontal wire I43 to the lights I and I42, the vertical wire I38, and a vertical wire I44 which leads to a fuse box I45 from which other wires (not shown) leading to electric burn ers, additional lights, etc. may be connected. The horizontal wire I46 may be placed behind the overhang I40 or it may .be concealed within the conduit formed by the turned-up-and-back por-,

tion of the bottom I31. All wires which pass into and out of the cabinets go through holes (as, for example, aperture I48) which are drilled at the factory to make installation easy. The lights I and I42 are, of course, concealed behind the over.- hang I40. Some cabinets, as for example, the cabinet I25 (see Fig. 2) may have stepped up shelves.

The cabinets I20 to I26 inclusive are fastened to the walls in a very novel manner. A top angle iron I50 running the whole length of the unit and having a plurality (two, for example) of bent-down fingers I5I for each cabinet is fastened to the back wall I52 by any suitable means, such as by screws I53 into studs or masonry walls. Each cabinet has two corresponding punched and bent down fingers I54 in the rear portion of the top thereof. A lower angle iron I55 having a plurality of raised portions I56 on leader joints.

the lower inside surface thereof is fastened to the wall I52, by means such as the screws I51, parallel to and separated from the top angle iron by a distance slightly larger than the height of the cabinet. The lower portion of each cabinet ,like the top has two punched-in portions I58.

Having screwed the angle irons I50 and I55 to the wall, the cabinets are ready for mounting. Each cabinet is lifted up so that its upper rear portion is against the wall (holding the bottom rear portion slightly away from the wall to clear the angle iron) and the fingers II allowed to slide into the apertures formed by bending down the portions I54 of the top of the cabinet. Holding the top of the cabinet against the top of the iron I50, the bottom of the cabinet is slid into place so that the raised portions or fingers I55 slide into the apertures formed by bending up the fingers I58. The cabinet is then lowered slightly until it rests on the bottom angle iron. This procedure permits a quick and sure installation of metal cabinets. The cabinets then are bound to be straight, level and true. This is very much more satisfactory than trying to set the cabinets on crooked plaster.

Contained within the upper portion of all of the cabinets except the endone I26 is a flue section 30. Each flue section maybe double walled and/or insulated if desired and it is preferably slightly spaced from the rear wall of the cabinet. As shown in Fig. 3, the sections are adapted to interlock so that they may be easily fastened toether as the cabinet sections I to I are being mounted on the wall, there being suflicient horizontal play between the fingers I5I, I56 and their complemental cabinet punched-out portions to permit this. By placing the flue inside the upper cabinets, they may be inserted during installation but they are precut at the factory to the proper length. Any convenient means for connecting the flue sections together may be used, such as by alternate male and female members I 60 and I61 having crinkled edges as indicated schematically in Fig. 3 by the short lines at each joint parallel to the axis of the pipe and shown in greater detail in Fig. 10 which is a fragmentary perspective view, with portions broken away, of a joint between a male member I50 and a female member IBI. The edges of the members I60 and IIiI are crinkled, as in stoveplpe and to the apartment house outlet (if it is so equipped) I62. A blower I may be provided in one of the sections, or within the apartment house flue system, as desired. Thermostatic control for the blower may be provided. If desired, the flue sections 30 may be slidably inserted into the cabinets as they are being installed.

The filler member I4 preferably comprises a large metallic sheet member I10 generally parallel to the wall I5 and contiguous to the end of the unit, which sheet member extends out into the room at least as far as the front of the base units and preferably from the floor to the ceiling, a plurality of vertical stud members "I and I12 (see Fig. 3), and an edge member I18 also preferably extending from floor to ceiling. The

The fiue system 30 is connected I member I10 preferably has an outlet I mounted therein, electric connections (not shown) being made to the back thereof. The filler member prevents any dust-catching gaps from marring the beauty of the entire unit and acts as an end wall.

It will be observed that there has been decribed above a complete kitchen unit, all parts of which are adapted to cooperate with other parts thereof for economy of space, elimination of dirt-catching gaps between portions of the unit, the transportation of heated and greaseladen air from their sources, and uniformity of appearance. A particular advantage of the unit herein disclosed is the ease with which it may be installed in the kitchen. Thus the electric,

wiring can be quickly installed in ducts which are preformed at the factory by the construction of the cabinets and passed through holes cut at predetermined places in the cabinets. The plumbing connections pass through preformed holes in the cabinet walls thus further reducin the installation time. Moreover, the cabinets are easily fastened to the wall and the flue system is quickly put together as the cabinets are mounted on the wall, this operation not requiring the attention of one particularly skilled. This saving in time is tremendously important when a, number of these units are being installed in a large apartment house or other big building project. It will be obvious that this invention in its vari ous aspects is directed to the saving of time in installation and also the prevention or diminution of plaster cutting.

It is obvious that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims. Obviously, one or more of the vertical units may be omitted or they may be rearranged in order, as desired.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a cabinet member adapted to be positioned above a stove. a door for said cabinet member, a grill member in said door, means for collecting odors from said stove, a vertical flue connected to said means, and a small horizontal flue member connected to said vertical flue and adapted to be covered by and connected to said grill member when said door'is closed,

said odor collecting means, said horizontal flue and a large portion, at least, of said vertical flue being positioned within said cabinet member.

2. In combination, a cabinet member adapted to be positioned above a stove, a door for said cabinet member, a grill member in said door, means for collecting odors from said stove, a vertical flue connected to said means. a small horizontal flue member connected to said grill member when said door is closed, and a second horizontal flue member connected to said first-mentioned horizontal flue member at the end thereof remote from said grill member, said first-mentioned horizontal flue and large portions at least of said second horizontal flue and of said vertical flue being positioned within said cabinet member.

GUYON L. C. EARLE. 

